Animal Charity discovers taxes not paid

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Animal Charity learned recently that its payroll service, Benjamin Franklin Payroll of Lorain, had gone out of business and its owner, Richard Zakarian of Vermilion, had been jailed on theft charges related to tax payments Zakarian failed to make on behalf of his customers.

Talia Musolino, general manager of Animal Charity found out that its taxes had not been paid and that it now owed about $62,000, The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV, reported.

Animal Charity and Spitzer Chevrolet of North Jackson are among dozens of victims listed in an indictment filed against Zakarian, who is in the Lorain County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

“What I was told most recently by one of the investigators, this is now up to $3 million, and there are about 70 victims and counting is how he put it,” said Gary Pilcher, chairman of the Animal Charity board of directors.

Animal Charity started using Ben Franklin Payroll in January because it offered two years of free service to a charity. Prior to that, Animal Charity had paid $200 per month to another service.

Pilcher said the Animal Charity board checked Benjamin Franklin Payroll’s references.

“It appeared to be a reputable company, had been around for 20 years, and so we contracted with them,” Pilcher said.

Animal Charity has started to pay some of the penalties, but it has appealed to the IRS to waive the penalty and tax liability fees as well as interest.

“It has been quite a blow to us, definitely, but we want to keep working as usual and keep business going to continue offering the services that we have been,” Pilcher said.